The Best Christmas Songs of All Time

Singing has always been connected with celebrating holidays, especially family ones. Before the introduction of technological device people used to sing in a family choir more often. Now this habit has transformed more into listening to the songs with inner pronunciation. But in any case, each of us is happy to hear those favorite motives from our childhood and youth that create moving recollections.

Despite the variety of styles and directions some songs remain eternal even for rather dedicated freaks. Who does not remember Christmas with those lovely melodies that have stuck in the brain? Let us remember those unforgettable songs that make our soul sing.

50 Best Christmas Songs of All Time

1. Darlene Love: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
2. Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Christmastime Is Here”
3. Mariah Carey: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
4. Chuck Berry: “Run Rudolph Run”
5. John Coltrane: “My Favorite Things”
6. Joni Mitchell: “River”
7. John Lennon/The Plastic Ono Band/The Harlem Community Choir: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
8. The Beach Boys: “Little Saint Nick”
9. Elvis Presley: “Blue Christmas”
10. Donny Hathaway: “This Christmas”
11. Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
12. The Waitresses: “Christmas Wrapping”
13. Prince: “Another Lonely Christmas”
14. Wham!: “Last Christmas”
15. Wizzard: “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”
16. Run-D.M.C.: “Christmas in Hollis”
17. The Ronettes: “Sleigh Ride”
18. Eartha Kitt: “Santa Baby”
19. Brenda Lee: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
20. Ramones: “Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)”
21. Kate Bush: “December Will Be Magic Again”
22. Big Star: “Jesus Christ”
23. Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby”
24. Jackson 5: “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
25. The Kinks: “Father Christmas”
26. Charles Brown: “Please Come Home for Christmas”
27. David Bowie/Bing Crosby: “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy”
28. Kurtis Blow: “Christmas Rappin’”
29. Darlene Love: “Marshmallow World”
30. Low: “Little Drummer Boy”
31. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl: “Fairytale of New York”
32. James Brown: “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto”
33. Cat Power: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
34. Marvin Gaye: “Purple Snowflakes”
35. Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
36. Cocteau Twins: “Frosty the Snowman”
37. John Fahey: “What Child Is This?”
38. The Pretenders: “2000 Miles”
39. Aaliyah: “The Christmas Song”
40. Bob Marley & the Wailers: “White Christmas”
41. Stevie Wonder: “What Christmas Means to Me”
42. Loretta Lynn: “To Heck With Ole Santa Claus”
43. Dolly Parton: “Hard Candy Christmas”
44. Destiny’s Child: “Carol of the Bells a.k.a. Opera of the Bells”
45. Louis Armstrong: “Christmas in New Orleans”
46. Toots & the Maytals: “Happy Christmas”
47. Sufjan Stevens: “Christmas in the Room”
48. Clarence Carter: “Back Door Santa”
49. Kanye West: “Christmas in Harlem”
50. The Flaming Lips / Imagene Peise: “Silver Bells”

Top 10 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of

1. White Christmas

Being one of the best-selling songs of all time “White Christmas” was written by Irving Berlin and covered by various popular singers starting from Bob Marley and finishing with Taylor Swift. Each of the singers provided the song with his or her own mood and unique character. Human Nature, for example, has captured a beautiful and aching sentiment of the song, while young Bob Marley in cooperation with the Wailers added jazz and reggae motives that touch the soul.

2. O Holy Night

There is hardly any other more traditional Christmas song than “O Holy Night”. This renowned anthem with the French origin is performed during the church service among the Catholics. The melody was composed by Adolphe Adam in distant 1847, while the lyrics belong to Placide Cappeau. The text reflects on the theme of the redemption of humanity as well as the birth of Jesus Christ. Recorded by different notable singers it was the second music piece to be broadcast on radio. The most successful versions belong to Michael Crawford, Celine Dion, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Jackie Evancho.

3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

A lovely kids’ song never gets old after it has become an instant hit in November 1934. The song was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and its popularity was so big that more than 30 thousand copies were sold within 1 day. The most prominent performers of the song were Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey etc. but there were also rock and country versions recorded too.

4. Santa Clause Go Straight to the Ghetto

A funky version of “Santa Clause Go Straight to the Ghetto” by James Brown has deserved to be among the best Christmas songs too. The latter version of the song written by Snoop Dogg and released in 1996 has taken its worthy place in the famous world billboards.

5. Carol of the Bells

There is hardly a person who has not heard that famous motive of the “Carol of the bells”. This Christmas folk song takes its origin in Ukraine and its author is considered to be Mykola Leontovych. The original title is “Shchedryk” and it tells the story of a sparrow that brought prosperity and happiness to the families for the coming year. In Ukraine, it was first sung in 1916, while US citizens heard the premiere in 1921. Today this melody is an association with Christmas time and it can be heard anywhere from stores to movies and advertisements.

6. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This Christmas anthem appeared in the South-Western England in the 16^th century. Its history is connected with the English tradition, when wealthy people gave presents to singing people. It is one of the small number of songs when people are congratulated not only on Christmas but also New Year.

7. Jingle Bells

“Jingle Bells” or “One Horse Open Sleigh” was written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and at the beginning, it was not associated with Christmas time. Written in Medford, Massachusetts there is still a plaque commemorating this fact. The song was first recorded in 1898 by the Edison Male Quartette and later a variety of performers were trying to create their original versions. Only imagine The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, NSync, Luciano Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand and many others were among them. It is also the first song that was sung in outer space. Due to its incredible popularity, there is a variety of parodies and homages for “Jingle Bells” too.

8. Last Christmas

“Last Christmas” song written by George Michael and performed by Wham! had originally no relation to Christmas time, but now it is one of the most popular holiday songs. According to the author the song was written in the house of his friend’s parents after watching a football match. It was released in 1984 and took the second place in the UK Singles Chart. Nowadays there are more than 500 cover versions of the song and it became the best-selling single of the UK that hasn’t reached the first place in the chart.

9. All I Want for Christmas Is You

A great song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” from Mariah Carey was released in 1994 and became a lead single of her album “Merry Christmas”. The song tells the story of a woman, whose only wish is to spend Christmas with her beloved person. It is a great love song with bell chimes and incredible back-up vocal. The song can boast two music videos and a duet with Justin Bieber. Called “one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon” this song has become one of the most beloved songs associated with this family holiday.

10. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)

Though “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)” by Ramones failed to enter the chart in 1987 now it has deserved its recognition. This rock single was written by Joey as a B-side track to the single “I Wanna Live” and now it has taken on its afterlife being a popular Christmas song often played in pubs and stores.

Originally published at The Best Christmas Songs of All Time